Trainer Wayne Hawkes had been looking forward to the debut of well-bred filly Maroon Bay - until he saw the select field she is up against at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Maroon Bay, a half-sister to Coolmore Stud Stakes runner-up Jolie Bay, is one of only six fillies to accept in the Aquanas Foods Handicap (1200m).

"Normally you'd be happy about running a first starter in a small field like this," Hawkes said.

But Hawkes didn't count on two of Maroon Bay's five opponents being fillies who had been competitive in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

"It's a bit tougher race than I thought it would be," he said.

"She'll run well, but it's a good race."

The obvious class in the race is with the stakes winner Metastasio and Blue Diamond fourth placegetter Gregers, who are both resuming.

And the Peter Moody-trained Diamond Glow isn't far behind the top pair.

"It's a small field, she's an on-pacer and 1000 metres around the Valley is her right race," Hawkes said.

"I just didn't expect the opposition to be so strong."

Only seven three-year-olds have accepted for the colts and geldings division, but again it is a race shaping as an intriguing contest which could rely on an accurate assessment of the New Zealander Cauthen.

An eight-length winner at his only start, Cauthen is up against the stakes winner Clevadude, the Moody-trained winner Weinholt and Ticket To Toorak who was considered worthy of a Magic Millions start in the summer.